What Vapes Can I Use After the UK Disposable Vape Ban?

In 2024, the United Kingdom government announced plans to reform the tobacco and vaping industries in several significant ways. Among the most important of the announced reforms was an intent to ban disposable vapes in the UK. In this article, we will discuss the specifics of these reforms as they currently stand, including why the ban is happening and when you can expect disposable vapes to become unavailable. For now, though, the most important thing to understand is that from the 1st of June 2025, you will no longer be able to buy single-use disposable vapes.

The focus is on removing devices that are not refillable or rechargeable to help protect the environment. In addition, the intention is to curb the rise of young people taking up smoking. Stick around to the end of this article to read our FAQ on the disposable vape ban and the UK Tobacco and Vapes Bill as we currently understand them.

So, what vapes can you still use after the ban on disposables? Here is what will remain available once the ban takes effect. 

Vapes with Pre-Filled Cartridges and Pods

Any vape that stores its e-liquid in a pre-filled and replaceable cartridge or pod will remain available after the ban on disposables. These include all V2 Vsavi vape kits and pre-filled pod-based devices such as the Vuse Pro and the Voom Pod Mod.

Pros of Pre-Filled Vapes:

• They provide some of the convenience of disposable vapes; just keep the battery topped up and replace the cartridge or pod when it is empty.
• The starter kits are typically very affordable.

Cons of Pre-Filled Vapes:

• The flavour selection is not as large as it would be with a refillable device, which can work with any bottled e-liquid.
• Pre-filled pods and cartridges cost more over time than bottled vape juice.

Vapes with Refillable Cartridges, Pods and Tanks

After the disposable ban, you will also still be able to buy any vaping device that stores its e-liquid in a refillable cartridge, pod or tank. These include V2 Vsavi e-liquid kits along with refillable pod vapes, vape pens and vape mods.

Pros of Refillable Vapes:

• They can work with all bottled e-liquids, allowing you to enjoy a wider range of flavours and nicotine strengths.
• They cost less over time than vapes with pre-filled pods or cartridges.
• They often produce bigger vapour clouds than pre-filled vapes, which can be important for those with higher nicotine requirements.

Cons of Refillable Vapes:

• They require a bit more work and maintenance compared to pre-filled vapes.

Vapes That Could Speculatively Remain Available

As we will explain in the FAQ at the end of this article, we do not know precisely how the UK government will define disposable vapes when implementing the ban. Therefore, it is possible that some devices currently marketed as “disposable vapes” could remain available after the ban with modifications to their designs or marketing language. Those devices include:

• IVG 2400: This device stores its e-liquid in four removable pods. If the device was given a rechargeable battery and the refill pods were made available separately, it seems likely that the IVG 2400 would remain available after the disposable ban.
• Aspire One Up R1: Although this device is marketed as a disposable vape, it has a refillable tank. It is possible that refillable disposable vapes may remain available after the ban even though the tanks are not replaceable.
• Elf Bar EV5000: This is another example of a disposable vape with a tank that is refillable but not replaceable.
• Elf Bar AF5000: This device is basically a traditional disposable vape apart from the fact that the e-liquid is packaged separately in a 10 ml bottle. Because the separate bottle distinguishes it from other disposables, though, it is possible that it will remain available after the ban.

Love Your Favourite Disposable Vape Flavours? Many Are Now Available in Bottled Form

Although disposable vapes will soon be banned in the UK, it does not mean that you will no longer be able to enjoy your favourite flavours because some of the most popular disposable vape brands are now selling their e-liquids in bottled form. In addition, there are some brands that have always offered bottled vape juice and began selling disposable vapes only recently. Some of the disposable vape brands whose e-liquids are available in bottled form include:

• Maryliq (Lost Mary)
• Elfliq (Elf Bar)
• IVG
• Pod Salt

If you currently use disposable vapes from one of the above brands, your vaping experience will not have to change significantly after disposables are banned. You may have to get used to using a refillable vape, but you will still be able to enjoy the same flavours you use now. We expect that other popular makers of disposable vapes will introduce bottled e-liquids or pre-filled pod systems in the UK in the near future.

FAQ on the UK Tobacco and Vapes Bill and Disposable Vape Ban

We will conclude this guide with a FAQ explaining the status of the UK Tobacco and Vapes Bill and the disposable vape ban to the best of our knowledge. Note that because the Tobacco and Vapes Bill has not yet been finalised, specific details could change before the ban comes into force.

When will disposable vapes be banned in the UK?

Yes, it was laid in Parliament on October 24th by Circular Economy Minister Mary Creagh. The bill was also included in the 2024 King’s Speech, indicating that it remains a top priority for the new Labour government. And is now confirmed for the date of 1 June 2025 for the complete ban of all single-use disposables.

The government said it had worked closely with the devolved nations of England, Wales and Scotland and they would "align coming into force dates" on the disposable vape bans.

What is the current progress of the Tobacco and Vapes Bill?

The Tobacco and Vapes Bill was not passed under the previous Conservative government and is currently under review by the new Labour government. The Labour Party may change some aspects of the bill before reintroducing it. It is unlikely that the changes will be significant, though, because the bill already had broad support across both parties.

Currently, the Bill which started in the House of Commons is at the Report Stage but has not reached the Third Reading. Once the third reading is complete, it should then pass to the House of Lords.

Why are disposable vapes being banned?

Disposable vapes are being banned due to the belief that children find them appealing, thus detracting from the original vaping mission to provide a less harmful alternative to tobacco for adults who already smoke and are addicted to nicotine. In addition, disposable vapes are problematic for the environment because they are difficult to recycle and contribute to groundwater pollution.

Exactly what devices are being banned?

Currently what we know is that single-use devices are what the government class as disposable vapes. Anything that cannot be refilled or recharged is deemed an unnecessary disposable product ending up in general waste, causing fire damage, or battery leaks.

Circular Economy Minister Mary Creagh stated:

“Single-use vapes are extremely wasteful and blight our towns and cities.

That is why we are banning single-use vapes as we end this nation’s throwaway culture.

This is the first step on the road to a circular economy, where we use resources for longer, reduce waste, accelerate the path to net zero and create thousands of jobs across the country.”

Exactly what provisions are in the Tobacco and Vapes Bill?

In its current form, the Tobacco and Vapes Bill will do the following:

• It will ban the sale of all tobacco products, herbal smoking products and rolling papers to any person born after 1 January 2009. This is the main component of the “smokefree generation” plan announced by former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. The bill does not ban the sale of vapes to this age group, although 18 remains the minimum age to buy vaping products.
• It gives the Secretary of State the power to enact restrictions on the packaging of vaping products. This may lead to a “plain packaging” law.
• It gives the Secretary of State the power to enact restrictions on the flavours and ingredients of vaping products. This may lead to a ban on certain sweet flavours.
• It gives the Secretary of State the power to enact restrictions on the sizes, shapes and designs of vaping products. This is the language that will allow the government to ban disposable vapes.

Will there be a new tax on vaping products?

The original proposal for the Tobacco and Vapes Bill included a new duty of £1-3 for all vaping products depending on the amount and nicotine strength of the e-liquid they contained. Following a consultation period after the Spring 2024 Budget, the new Labour Government in the recent October Budget set out by Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced a flat rate structure of £2.20 per 10ml of e-liquid. The initial date is set for October 2026 as it stands.